Catterick stages competitive action over Jumps during the forthcoming holiday period, with meetings on Sunday, December 28 and New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1, as the course sees out the Old Year and welcomes in the New Year. Racing on Sunday begins at 1-00 p.m., while the action on New Year’s Day is scheduled to start at 12-30 p.m. (gates open at 10-30 a.m.) 

On Saturday, the twin highlights are The Happy Birthday John Tate Handicap Chase (extended three miles and one furlong) and The Buy Your Annual Badge Today Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (two miles). Racegoers arriving early will be offered mulled wine and mince pies. 

Sunday’s card is part of the second Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival which concludes at Doncaster the following day (December 29).There’s a chance to win an overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special racecard competition during the Festival. Young racegoers have the opportunity to ‘Find the Red Snowflake’ in a special competition, with one lucky winner receiving a goodie bag and a family admission ticket to the ‘February Fun’ even at Stockeld Park near Wetherby. 

The main races on New Year’s Day Thursday are also a couple of races over fences – a Handicap Chase over two miles and three furlongs and a Novices’ Chase over the extended three miles and one furlong. 

As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, including the big races from Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. There will be a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the opening race. Car and coach parking is free, while accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. In addition, there’s a popular new indoor play area for youngsters in the Course Enclosure. The shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre will be in operation.